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Anna Cardinali

July 1, 1940 ~ September 4, 2018 (age 78)

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CARDINALI, Anna, of Syosset, NY, passed away on Tuesday, September 4, 2018, at the age of 78, surrounded by close family at St. Francis Hospital.

A beautiful, generous soul with an immense love of music, gardening and putting her bare feet in the sand, Anna was born in Saviano, Naples, Italy. She emigrated to the United States with her two younger brothers and one of her sisters, when she was just 16. A seamstress by trade and a gardener by nature, she loved to sew and tend plants in her magnificent perennial and vegetable gardens. She had a green thumb that could make anything thrive and the magic hands of a master seamstress.

Anna lived on Long Island for most of her life and worked in a radio factory and dry cleaners before meeting Emilio, her husband of 55 years, at the Dell’Assunta Society where she had been a member since the 1960s. Her enchanting singing voice lured Emilio and, after many years of being together – including a two-year hiatus while he served in the Army – they married.

A force of nature, Anna believed in hard work and was an inspiration to so many people. She was well known as a master negotiator and always knew how to score an impressive bargain. Anna was a caring woman, forever helping others in need. She offered the most reasonable and practical advice to anyone who would listen. A warrior by nature, Anna held her ground and faced all of life’s challenges with tenacity and grace.

A dedicated wife, mother and homemaker, Anna successfully managed a multitude of things including the family landscaping and sprinkler businesses in partnership with her husband for most of her life. She was a grateful and loyal member of a fellowship group where she both found and gave solace and support, and formed close friendships.

As a devoted mother, she cared deeply for her children, Angela and Rosanna, and passed along her amazing strength, determination and drive. She was always looking out for her granddaughters Amelia and Isabella, teaching them important life lessons and encouraging them in every way possible. She loved to watch them dance and play music, and didn’t miss any of their performances.

She is survived by her loving husband Emilio, daughters Angela and Rosanna, sons in-law John and Vincenzo, her granddaughters Amelia and Isabella, and her brother Ignazio and sister Connie. Anna leaves behind an extensive, loving family of nieces, nephews and in-laws, and many longtime friends. She was predeceased by her mother and father Rosa and Saverio Minucci, her brothers Vincenzo and Saverio, and sisters Rosa and Nunciata.

“Mama, there’s so much love. And, there will be so much loss. But, you will be inside and outside all of us. In every corner of every room, in every flower that opens and closes, in every grain of sand that we walk on. We will hold you in our hearts and we thank you for blessing our souls with your beautiful spirit – all throughout your life and in your memory.”

Anna was an avid gardener who loved being outside tending her flower and vegetable gardens. In lieu of cut flowers or flower arrangements, Anna requested potted plants – ones that could continue to bring joy to others as a plant in a garden or in the homes of close family members.